Some criteria to consider when choosing quality literature for your classroom.

A quality literary text:

• engages children and adults alike
• is relatable but not limited to the children’s interests and experiences
• is rich in its use of language and image (where images are included). The language is not overly contrived with very limited vocabulary. The images add meaning to the text rather than play an ancillary role)
• merits multiple readings
• triggers lots of ‘why’ or ‘I wonder’ discussion and questions
• is multi-layered (there are a range of interpretations possible rather than only one-dimensional)
• is evocative
• is inclusive different communities/worlds/cultures/ways of being
• is aesthetically designed.

Developed by Robyn Ewings, February 2026 / Adapted from Ewing, 2013.